Marjorie Lawrence
Vocal Competition Was Clearly A Success
By Russell P. Allen - National Endowment for the Arts and OPERA America consultant,
general manager for Atlanta Opera, Virginia Opera, and numerous symphony orchestras.

WASHINGTON DC - Opera Music Theater International, under the
direction of James K. McCully, Jr., presented the concluding concert of the
Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition featuring the 2001 competition
winners. The concert occurred at the National Museum of Women in the Arts with
accompanist Maestro Neal Goren. Underwriters for the performance included the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, US Airways, Yamaha Artist Services.

The 2001 Competition Winners Concert following the Marjorie Lawrence Competition
presented excellent young talent and showcased a vocal selection by each winner
that emphasized their level of accomplishment. First to perform were the Studio
Artist Division Winners. These three performances were followed by performances
from the three winners in the Artist Division.

The event clearly was a success. All six were accomplished singers with clearly
defined technique and obvious good training. As might be expected, the Artist
Division winners were most professional - offering a higher degree of vocal expertise
- though all six gave excellent performances.

The concert was well attended, and judging by the applause, a most appreciative
audience was showing its support of the quality of each performance. Clearly
the audience wanted to acknowledge and support the achievement of these six
artists.

The presentation itself was both professional and entertaining. The event highlighted
the benefits of concert recital performance, offering young artists the opportunity
to perform before a knowledgeable and critical audience. That the Competition
culminates in live public performance is to be commended.

Michele Gutrick, third place winner in the Studio Artist Division, began the
concert performing "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" from LA RONDINE by
Giacomo Puccini. She did an admirable job, particularly considering that she
opened the program with a lesser-known selection. She exhibited good breath
control in some extended passages and clearly understood the context of the
piece.

Chen Reiss, second place winner in the Studio Artist Division, performed next
and did a show-stopping performance of Adele's Laughing Song ("Mein Herr
Marquis, ein Mann wie Sie") from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss. Clearly
relaxed and at ease with the repertoire selection, Ms. Reiss got into the role
and showed mastery of her selection.

First place winner in the Studio Artists Division, Cristina Nassif, exhibited
why she was the winner of the division with an expressive "Bel raggio luginghier"
aria from Gioacchino Rossini's SEMIRAMIDE. Ms. Nassif was very relaxed and well
into the character. With a quality of sound that was striking for her age, she
projected very well into the hall. Her excellent vocal technique made her performance
memorable.

Cristina Nassif$1,500

Chen Reiss$1,000

Michelle Gutrick$750

Sponsored by the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Ancient and Accepted Freemasons.

Third place winner of the Artist Division, Anna Tonna, followed the Studio
Artist performances. Ms. Tonna exhibited excellent technique in her aria "Cruda
sorte" from Gioacchino Rossini's L'ITALIANA IN ALGERI. Her diction was
clear and her characterization enticing. She proved to have a lovely tone and
warmed into her performance admirably.

The concert continued with Lorraine Hinds, 2nd place winner of the Artist Division.
Ms. Hinds gave a very expressive performance clearly exhibiting the mastery
of her range in a beautiful rendtion of "Je suis encor tout etourdie"
from Jules Massenet's MANON. Ms. Hinds clearly was knowledgeable of the role
and defined the character throughout with clear diction and purposeful phrasing.

The final performance was by the 1st Place Winner of the Artist Division, Charles
Reid. Mr. Reid demonstrated clearly why he won the competition with an excellent
rendition of Tamino's contemplative aria "Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon"
from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE. Well into character, Mr. Reid
gave an animated and defined performance. He had a clear mastery of his range
and technique. The sound that he brought forth was beautiful.

Charles Reid$3,000

Lorraine Hind$2,000

Anna Tonna$1,000

Sponsored by the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Ancient and Accepted Freemasons.

The Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition is an excellent opportunity
for young singers to hone their craft and perform competitively with their peers.
The competition is open to all singers whose operatic repertoire and vocal caliber
meet the demands of an international career. The Competition Concert was
completely in keeping with the goals of the competition and exhibited fine talent
who are beginning to experience or are on their way to experience performance
opportunities.